Chapter 114


    "What?" the other Protégés were puzzled, wondering why they were leaving without the Voilet


    Thistle, which had disappeared so mysteriously.


    vin picked up arge bone and offered it with a smile. "Esteemed Protégés of Botanic Haven,


    prime beef tendon, a pound of meat for one Elixir Herb. Any takers?"


    "Who would want your meat," the Botanic Haven Protégé grumbled, storming off with bottled fury.


    vin''s smile faded as he continued his meal, but his gaze shifted towards the shadows of the


    trees ahead, where a group gathered—it was Adirich''s team.


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    "Shall we deal with him now?" asked one with a menacing look.


    "We''ll settle this back at Cobalt Strike," Adirich replied, not foolish enough to strike down vin in


    in sight, especially with Cedrick seated by his side. Judging by their interaction, Cedrick didn''t


    seem like he would stand by and let them harm vin.


    The grand hunt hade to a close, and over six hundred Protégés safely returned to Cobalt


    Strike. The hunting campaign had been costly, but many Protégés had reaped enormous bounties,


    enviable hauls of various magical ores and Elixir Herbs. These treasures belonged to the individuals


    alone; Cobalt Strike would noty im to even a de of grass or a pebble from their spoils.


    That was the allure of the hunt – opportunities and resources earned solely through skill and


    bravery.


    Upon his return to Cobalt Strike, vin sought out Carlys and presented her and Celesse with


    Intermediate magical ores and Super magical ores, keeping only Ordinary Elixir Herbs and Ordinary


    magical ores for his own use over the past ten days. He had saved more precious treasures.


    Yet no sooner had vin left than Carlys, with a mischievous smile, chased after him and returned


    his offerings.


    Both were Elite Protégés of Cobalt Strike, holding esteemed positions within the stronghold. They


    could freely take magical treasures and Elixir Fruits, so they could not ept vin''s gifts, knowing


    they were won through his perilous efforts, no matter their value.


    In the deep of night, vin took a thorough, invigorating wash and prepared to practice his


    Restoration Mantra.


    The voice that had been absent for so long spoke again. "The power you seek, I can help you


    achieve it."


    "Do you know what I''m thinking?" vin had been waiting for this voice, and atst, it returned.


    "I know what you''re enduring."


    Sitting cross-legged beneath an ancient tree, vin felt the state of the Energy Core within his


    Energy Realm. "I believe you may have some background, but I don''t trust in your ability to help me.


    Let''sy our cards on the table; I won''t cast you out of my body, nor will I hand you over to Cobalt


    Strike. You can stay and recover at your own pace. When you''re ready to leave, I''ll take you beyond


    Cobalt Strike''s borders. I expect nothing in return; consider it a friendship."


    He could sense the Chained Spirit''s wariness towards Shadowbringer and discern that it must have


    been formidable in life. He tried to soothe it without showing weakness.


    "I can''t grant you immediate strength, but I can guide you to more potent Combat Magic and power."


    "What do you want from me?" vin was puzzled; the Chained Spirit seemed determined to remain


    within him.


    "Take me back to my n."


    "I''m sorry. I don''t wish to involve myself in your feud with Cobalt Strike."


    "You wish to destroy it, don''t you?"


    Leaning against the old tree, vin chuckled lightly. "I don''t harbor the deep hatred you imagine."


    "Your current strength won''t get you to Celestial Domain of the East. I''ll help you grow stronger, and


    when you''ve reached a certain level, remember to take me back. It''s that simple."


    "I''d rather not invite trouble. I can be stronger on my own, travel further without needing gifts


    that might beced with schemes or lead to peril."


    "You have ambition and desire, but without resources, without allies, you won''t get far."


    vin, tired of the back-and-forth, proposed a deal. “Stay inside me and be straightforward and


    honest. When the old man returns, I''ll hand you over to him, how''s that?"


    "He won''t being back."


    "He will."


    "You don''t understand him, his background. He won''t return, and perhaps..." The Chained Spirit


    trailed off, then after a moment of silence, offered. "I have a secret that can hasten your growth!"


    "I really don''t need it."


    Ignoring vin''s protest, the Chained Spirit continued, "A thousand miles away, at the Watcher''s


    Coast, lies a lost ancient kingdom, buried in the abyssal depths of the sea. I possess the key to


    awaken it, where the mighty secrets of the Ancient Kings—powers sealed for millennia—lie


    dormant."